What Was Plant's Transformation

November 1, 1987|By James C. Clark of the Sentinel Staff

Henry Plant was one of the few people in the Confederacy to grow rich during the Civil War. The money he made helped to transform Florida into a tourist mecca. Plant was the southern agent for Boston-based Adams Express Co. when the war came. The company, which transported goods, was worried that its operations might be taken over by the Confederate government and decided to create a new company with only Southern stockholders. Plant was selected to run the company. Even though Plant was supported by the North, Plant's company was a major hauler of goods and money for the Confederate government.

When the war ended, Plant had plenty of money. He began buying railroads in Georgia, then in Florida. He purchased a three-fifths interest in the line running between Sanford and Kissimmee and managed to do what everyone said was impossible -- build a railroad between Kissimmee and Tampa in seven months.

The railroad led to a population boom in Tampa. To attract tourists, Plant built a magnificent hotel. He also built hotels along his train route, including the Hotel Kissimmee in Kissimmee and the Seminole Hotel in Winter Park.

Tourists produced a tidy income for Plant, but his real money came in hauling fruit and vegetables to the North. His railroad was so efficient, he was able to greatly expand the state's orange distribution, creating a national market.

In the Spanish-American War in 1898, Plant's agents persuaded the U.S. government to establish a headquarters in Tampa. It was a financial bonanza for Tampa. Every bullet and every soldier had to be shipped through Tampa on a Plant railroad. The publicity drew even more tourists and permanent residents. By the time of his death in 1899, Plant controlled the largest rail system in Florida and was worth more than $10 million. The railroad was absorbed by the Atlantic Coast Line and the hotels were later sold by Plant's estate. Among his namesakes is Plant City in Hillsborough County.